RS:X - the Olympic class

The RS:X came about as a result of a successful bid by NeilPryde WIndsurfing to supply one design windsurfing equipment for the 2008 Olympic Games in China. The RS:X was designed in 2004 and went into production in 2005.

The RS:X design features a high technology rig, with carbon mast and boom, a ‘wide-style’ board that merges modern windsurf board design with a centreboard, thus enabling competitions to he held in virtually any condition from 3 to 30 knots. This means that the RS:X is always a dynamic, versatile class to observe, and racing is always close, exciting and visually appealing.

Two sizes of sail are available for competitors. Men use a 9.5m sail while women and youth use an 8.5m sail. The sail, rig and board have been designed in conjunction with each other in order to to ensure a high level of design synergy.

The RS:X Class Association was established in November 2006, and is critical to the establishment and ongoing development of the RS:X as an international Olympic Class.

The RS:X is the most affordable yachting class that is eligible for competition in the Olympic Games. It is also very easy to transport, as it can be carried on commercial aircraft as excess baggage, thus allowing sailors to compete internationally at minimal expense. This allows the scheduling of many regattas which can be attended by a large number of sailors from all over the world.

The inaugural RS:X World Championships were held at Lake Garda, Italy, and featured some 244 competitors. Subsequent World Championship Regattas in 2007 Cascais, Portugal and in 2008 Auckland, New Zealand attracted 186 and 193 sailors respectively.

More than 3000 sets of equipment have been sold since production started in 2005 to competitors in more than 50 nations in 6 continents.

The RS:X Class is actively involved in developing racing fleets in the U21, U19 and U17 Age Divisions who compete in separate World and Continental Championships. It should be noted that only the U19 Division is awarded World Championship titles for Youth Men and Youth Women recognised by ISAF due to the strict limitations that they impose on their number.

The RS:X Class has recently launched the RS:X Reach-4-The-Top Training Programmes to assist National Sailing Federations, Athletes, Coaches and National Technical officials gain more knowledge and experience. The class is actively organising clinics and training camps worldwide.

RS:X News

The RS:X board sailors went racing overnight for the first time for the World Championships titles for 2007 and national qualification for Qingdao. Racing on the inner course took place in fickle light winds at times in the wind shadow of Sintra Hill.

Barbara Kendall kicked off the regatta with a 2nd place, however was 26th in her second race. At the end of day one for the boards she is in 25th place.

In the men’s fleet Jon-Paul Tobin was 6th and 4th in racing overnight to sit in 9th place on the leader board. Meanwhile Tom Ashley was 7th and 6th in his races and lies 18th overall.

The 2007 ISAF Sailing World Championships start in Cascais, Portugal on 28 June, with well over 1,600 sailors lining up to dispute 11 World Championship titles and Olympic qualification. The two windsurfing fleets are set to provide some of the most spectacular racing in the windy Cascais conditions – but just who are the title favourites.

The great news from Cyprus is that another sailor has achieved the YNZ Olympic Squad entry benchmark of a top eight placing, or better, in the European Championships, and Barbara Kendall turned in another excellent performance to be fourth overall, continuing her excellent run in Europe this season.

In just one month the ISAF Sailing World Championships will kick off in Cascais, Portugal. The event will determine 75% of national qualification for the 2008 Olympic Sailing Regatta, now just over 14 months away.

One Gold, one Silver and two Bronze for kiwi Olympic sailors. “We raced the medal race in a perfect 15 knot onshore breeze,” says Ashley. “The pressure was off as I only had to finish the race to win the event, and I ended up 7th in the race to wrap up the championship with a 12 point lead over Shahar Zubari from Israel.”